Album met landschappen van Carel de Hooch e.a. Possibly 1600 - 1899

This small album of landscapes was compiled in the 17th Century, potentially in the Netherlands, containing works by Carel de Hooch and others. Albums like these played a crucial role in the social life of art. In a time before mass media, sharing and collecting artworks often happened on a personal level, with albums serving as portable galleries and social networks. Ownership of such an album wasn't just about personal enjoyment; it was a display of cultural capital, a way of signaling one’s place in a society that deeply valued artistic skill and appreciation. The album's size and the nature of its contents reflect the intimacy of artistic exchange in the 17th century, and reminds us that art did not exist in a vacuum. The images in albums like these would reflect the owner's personal taste and social aspirations. To understand it fully, we would need to research the provenance of the album, delving into family histories and social networks. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.